Matty put his arm around his sister. Uncle Billy followed his mother out of the office door. But came back not even five minutes later with a cup of coffee for Matty in a light brown mug that said "Lee" on it. "Your Aunt Francine usually uses this one. She took it after she thought your father passed away. I don't think she will mind you using it and it was clean. It used to be your father's mug. I also raided her chocolate stash." Uncle Billy gave them a box of assorted chocolates.

They sat in Uncle Billy's office for he was not sure how long. Leann fell asleep on Matty's lap. Then his Uncle Billy looked up from the paperwork he was working on. "This is boring for you kids, isn't it? Do you want me to call Leatherneck? He is usually in the garage at this time of the afternoon now. He can show you some of the cars." Matty nodded no. He knew Uncle Billy's office was going to be the first place his mother came back to after seeing their father.

"You really are impressive young man. How brave you are being. How brave you were the first time you came to the Agency. I am sorry about that too. God if you had made it to my house instead of the Agency guard. If you had given me that note before they grabbed, you. I would have helped you. I am so sorry Matty." Matty wrote on the pad. "It's ok sir. I understand." Billy looked at him. "I will help your father. I will do everything I can to help him. I am glad I am retiring. If nothing else to get away from Doctor Smyth. The way he is treating your father. He is a good man, and he has always been a good friend to me. He is one of the best agents the agency has ever seen except after he lost his partner Eric. He didn't want to work with a partner ever again. Had a death wish. I was worried about him.

That is why I kept pairing him up with your mother. He tried to push her away at first. But I could see it. How good she was for him. She made him care about himself again. He would complain a lot in the beginning, but I could tell he really liked her. She made him more careful. A better agent. They were one of the best teams this Agency has ever or will ever have.

And your mother was a natural for being an Agent. She can't shoot and she is terrible at hand-to-hand combat, but she has an intuitiveness and bravery that I am getting the impression you have too Matty except you actually have hand to hand combat skills. There will be a place at the Agency when you get older if you want it. Nobody is going to care that you are deaf. The lip reading might even be useful. Your martial arts skills are incredible. You might have to wait until you are an adult and 18 though. Your mother was not happy when Phillip became an agent. The worst for your mother I think was the summer before you were taken and both Phillip and Jamie were working at the agency for the summer. Phillip is one of our best. But honestly if Jamie had been more interested in becoming an agent, I think he might have been an even better agent than your brother Phillip. If you tell either one of your brothers, I said that. I will deny it "

Matty nodded and wrote. "Phillip would probably make a wise ass remark sir but agree with you. It may not seem like it, but Phillip really loves Jamie and would probably like you more for thinking that." Uncle Billy laughed. "Oh, I know how loyal Phillip is. He proved that when he was willing to give up his job for your mother. Even Doctor Smyth was impressed by how loyal he was to your mother and the way he stood up to Agent Henderson.

Especially when it turned out your mother was right. I can't believe anyone of us doubted her after all these years. But she was different after your father died and when we didn't recover you. I have never seen your mother like that after your father died. If she had not been pregnant with Leann, I do not know what would have happened."

Just then the door opened, and his parents came in the office with Francine behind them. His father was there. How was his father there? Had he escaped? Was there a secret exit in Billy's office or something? His father came over to him and hugged him. "Are you ok kid?" Matty nodded and tapped. "I'm fine dad. Are you ok? Do you need me to help you fight your way out of this place?" His dad laughed. "No kid. I made a deal with the devil. I can go home. I can be Lee Stetson again."

His sister was still fast asleep on Matty's lap. His dad touched Leann's hair and her face gently. She opened her eyes. "Daddy!" And she attached herself to him. His dad sat on the couch next to Matty and Leann just snuggled into their father. Aunt Francine and their mother were standing.

Uncle Billy spoke, "I don't understand, Lee. Doctor Smyth let you out? What kind of deal did you make?" His dad spoke. "He made me choose between going to Federal Prison or I could take the section chief job next month when you officially retire. Everyone thought I was dead when they figured out that it was me that impersonated the army general and Doctor Smyth. I was never actually charged with treason because I was dead. I don't have to be according to him. He can conveniently sweep all that under the rug as long as I accept the job." Uncle Billy looked at Aunt Francine. "I thought you were taking the section chief job when I retire."

Aunt Francine responded "So, did I. But apparently Doctor Smyth is ready to retire too. He wants me to be his replacement. That is why it was taking him so long to officially name me as your replacement. Why he made you postpone your retirement just a little longer. Apparently before he figured out Lee was alive. He was considering Phillip for section chief even though he is so young. But now Phillip has gone over to England for who knows how long. He considered Amanda too. But he knew she would never take it." His mother spoke. "That is true. I want to stay part time and just help with the cases that involve children and keep running the Freshman Agent and Agent Candidate training programs."

His father spoke, "I start next week. I have been out of the spy game for almost five years now. He wants me to shadow you. Billy. Get me up to speed on what's been going on in the world of espionage." Billy grinned. "Well, it is going be really great having you back Lee. We will have to do beer and steaks at Randy's this weekend and catch up." His dad smiled, "I'd like that." Billy walked over to his father and gave him a quick hug.

Matty popped a chocolate in his mouth and took a sip of coffee. His Aunt Francine raised her eyebrow at Matty. "Is that my mug? And my chocolates? You are lucky you are so cute." His dad laughed. "Technically that's my mug. It's got my name on it. And I owe you a lifetime supply of chocolates. For everything you did for Irene and me. I had a feeling you knew it was me."

Francine smiled. "I've known almost since you first came back. That night when I first interviewed you. I noticed how much you looked like Lee except the mountain man version. Then I remembered when you showed me a picture of your parents. You look a lot like your father except Michael Winthrope is on your mother's side of the family. That's why I pulled Amanda into the other room that night. I told her I would help you from the inside. But it was better if nobody but her knew that I knew. I had more deniability that way. But I have been trying to help. Why do you think there were no pictures in the police files or officially anywhere of Michael Winthrope when he was young? That wasn't your grandfather that did that."

"I owe you more than a lifetime supply of chocolate." His dad hugged Aunt Francine. Then she said, "So now that you can be you again. Please tell me that you are going to shed the mountain man look." He smiled. "Yes. I'll get a haircut. I may keep the beard because I think Amanda likes it." His mother walked over and started playing with his dad's beard. "I do like the beard, but I miss seeing your dimples too. Maybe you can just grow the beard back on occasion. C'mon let's go home."

Notes:

I'm done torturing you all for now. LOL The last two chapters will just be nice sappy chapters. Only mystery left is what will the sex of Irene & Phillip's baby be? Will I give them triplets named Tommy, Timmy, and Tammy? (I won't but don't think I wasn't tempted.)

Also, I am 99% sure nobody cares about this. But in case you are wondering, Joe went home after Lee's interview with Doctor Smyth. Lee didn't need his help anymore. I figured nobody would mind less Joe in the story. LOL